Greg and Susan Shumeyko have lived in Edinburgh for 23 years. They were the 15th home in the neighborhood. They moved to Suwanee because of the reputation of the North Gwinnett school cluster and Riverside Elementary. Their oldest son, Kyle started kindergarten the year they moved in.  When Kyle started kindergarten, Riverside had 19 kindergarten classrooms! It was a huge school. The Shumeykos have loved watching their children grow up in Edinburgh. Greg helped start the swim team in the neighborhood. All three of the kids participated on the swim team, and all three of them eventually became swim coaches, themselves.

The Shumeykos have three beautiful Golden Retrievers. Their now adult children joke that their parents replaced each of them with a Golden when they left the nest. Susan says it’s the truth! The Shumeyko’s oldest Golden’s name is Jersey. Greg and Susan moved from New Jersey and thought that would be a great name. She is 9 years old. They have a boy and a girl Golden Retriever from the same litter. They are 4 years old. The boy is named Bear and the girl is named Charlie. Charlie was a name Susan had picked as a possibility for their daughter Caroline, so Susan figured this way she would get her Charlie. Susan says, “Bear just looked like a big old Teddy Bear as a puppy.” Greg and Susan have always had Goldens. They have had 6 altogether. Susan says, “I would have more if I could.”

Golden Retrievers are famous for their loyalty and companionship. Susan says, “I’ve found that these dogs have always formed such a strong bond with our family. They are always eager to be by your side, no matter what you are doing. I love how they show their affection. They often follow me from room to room, just to be close. It’s like having a furry shadow that brings comfort and joy wherever I go.”

Susan says, “They all LOVE stuffed animals, bones, balls, and dog treats. They are definitely motivated by food. Our dogs LOVE getting in the car and going to the dog park just outside the neighborhood.” When asked to describe her favorite memories with her Goldens, Susan says, “Jersey, in her younger years, would actually get up on the trampoline with the kids in the backyard; those days are long gone. They do love to fetch tennis balls! There have to be at least 50 of them in our backyard.”

Jersey, Charlie, and Bear are a sight to behold when sharing one human on three different leashes walking on the hills of Harbury Lane.  It’s pretty impressive! For the Shumeykos, these three Goldens are far more than just pets; they are the heart of their home and a constant source of laughter and love. Whether they are chasing tennis balls in the backyard or simply keeping Susan company as her "furry shadows," Jersey, Bear, and Charlie have filled the nest with positive energy. As the family continues their journey in Edinburgh, the enduring loyalty and gentle spirits of their retrievers serve as a beautiful reminder of the simple, profound joy that comes from sharing life with such devoted companions.